Sushil Kumar Modi: The man behind BJP’s rise in Bihar, was shaped by JP movement

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sushil Modi played an invaluable role in the rise and success of the BJP in Bihar. “Strongly opposing the Emergency, he made a name for himself in student politics. He was known as a very hardworking and sociable MLA. He had a deep understanding of the issues related to politics. He also did a lot of commendable work as an administrator. His active role in the passage of GST will always be remembered,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

One of the three famous products of the J P Movement along with RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi was considered the tallest BJP leader in Bihar after Kailashpati Mishra.

He is often credited with transforming the BJP into a formidable force in the state in the 1990s, with it emerging as the principal Opposition party in 1995. He was instrumental in building strong ties with NDA ally and JD(U) chief Nitish, who would often give him credit for bringing about the state’s economic turnaround.

In July 2011, Sushil Modi was appointed chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers for the implementation of GST.

He served as Deputy Chief Minister for over 11 years in two stints — the first from November 2005 to June 2013, and then from July 2017 to December 2020 — stitching up a formidable combination with Nitish.

Nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2020, his tenure came to an end recently.

In a statement, Nitish expressed grief over the demise of the former deputy. “It’s a personal loss for me. We were together during the JP Movement. His death has created a vacuum in the political arena of the country as well as in Bihar,” he said.

Describing Sushil Modi as a friend “for 51-52 years since our Patna University days”, RJD chief Lalu Prasad expressed grief over his death in a post on X. “He was a committed and devoted leader,” he said.

From ABVP background, Sushil Modi became MLA for the first time in 1990. After Yashwant Sinha resigned as Leader of Opposition in 1996, he took charge and single-handedly took on the RJD – he was one of five petitioners in the fodder scam in which Lalu Prasad was convicted.

After the fodder scam, the BJP unearthed 17 cases of irregularities against the Rabri Devi government.

Sushil Modi had once told The Indian Express that there were five landmarks for the BJP’s rise in Bihar: the party becoming the principal Opposition party in 1995, the sustained campaign against the fodder scam, the NDA forming government at the Centre and winning 40 out of 64 seats in 1999, alliance with Nitish Kumar and the BJP getting 91 seats in the 2010 Assembly polls.

A science graduate from Patna Science College, Sushil Modi could not complete his Master’s degree because of his involvement in the JP Movement. He became an RSS pracharak in 1977 and held the highest ABVP post of its national general secretary twice.

On April 3 this year, Sushil Modi revealed he was suffering from cancer and requested the BJP to relieve him of assignments related to the Lok Sabha elections. In a post in Hindi on X, he said: “I have been battling with cancer for the last six months. I feel that now the time has come to make it public. I would not be able to do my work during the Lok Sabha polls. I have shared this with the PM. My gratitude to the country, Bihar and my party.”

Paying tributes to him, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said: “It is an irreparable loss to all of us. He played a great bridge between the government and the BJP organisation. He has left a great void in state and national politics.”

Former Rajya Sabha MP and JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi called him the tallest BJP leader after state BJP founder Kailashpati Mishra. He said Nitish and Sushil Modi were two sides of one coin. “Together, they brought good governance in the state,” he said.

RJD national vice president Shivanand Tiwari said: “I am deeply pained at his death. He would prepare very well for any subject. He will be remembered as one of the tallest Bihar BJP leaders.”

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, son of former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, said: “I had seen my father’s great camaraderie with Sushil Modi. He was a master of financial matters. His paperwork for any debate is worth emulating.”